The leaders are expected to release a 10-year mental health reform plan at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Canberra on Friday.

The letter, signed by more than 60 mental health advocates implores federal and state leaders to renew their commitment to mental health reform by setting targets in areas including housing, employment and education.

Among the signatories is a professor at the centre for youth mental health Patrick McGorry, at the University of Melbourne. The former Australian of the Year told ABC Radio he feared mental health was being forgotten.

''There is a growing sense in the mental health community that momentum has been lost,'' he said.

The letter said it would be a ''grave setback'' if the plan did not do justice to the findings of the mental health report card, which was released last week.